Stainless knife steels
≈13%+ chromium for rust resistance. The default for kitchen, EDC and humid/coastal use. Modern powder stainless (M390, MagnaCut, S-series) now rivals tool steel on edge retention.
The Buy column opens Amazon search results for knives in that steel. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you — placement here is by documented spec, never by payment.
| Steel | Type | HRC | Edge | Corrosion | Toughness | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4116 (X50CrMoV15) | Stainless | 54-57 | low | high | high | Budget | Shop → |
| 420HC | Stainless | 56-58 | low | high | high | Budget | Shop → |
| 440A | Stainless | 55-58 | low | high | medium | Budget | Shop → |
| 440C | Stainless | 58-60 | medium | high | medium | Budget | Shop → |
| 8Cr13MoV | Stainless | 57-59 | medium | medium | medium | Budget | Shop → |
| 9Cr18MoV | Stainless | 58-60 | medium | high | medium | Budget | Shop → |
| AUS-8 | Stainless | 57-59 | medium | medium | high | Budget | Shop → |
| Sandvik 12C27 | Stainless | 57-59 | medium | high | high | Budget | Shop → |
| Sandvik 14C28N | Stainless | 58-61 | medium | high | high | Budget | Shop → |
| 154CM | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Shop → |
| ATS-34 | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Shop → |
| AUS-10 | Stainless | 58-60 | medium | medium | medium | Mid | Shop → |
| Böhler N690 | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Shop → |
| CPM-154 PM | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Shop → |
| Nitro-V | Stainless | 58-61 | medium | high | high | Mid | Shop → |
| VG-10 | Stainless | 59-61 | high | high | medium | Mid | Shop → |
| Böhler Elmax PM | Stainless | 59-62 | high | very high | medium | Premium | Shop → |
| CPM MagnaCut PM | Stainless | 60-64 | very high | very high | very high | Premium | Shop → |
| CPM-S30V PM | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | medium | Premium | Shop → |
| CPM-S35VN PM | Stainless | 58-61 | high | high | high | Premium | Shop → |
| CPM-S45VN PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Premium | Shop → |
| CTS-XHP PM | Stainless | 60-64 | high | high | medium | Premium | Shop → |
| H1 | Stainless | 57-60 | low | extreme | high | Premium | Shop → |
| LC200N (Z-FiNit) | Stainless | 57-60 | high | extreme | high | Premium | Shop → |
| Böhler M390 PM | Stainless | 60-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Shop → |
| Böhler Vanax PM | Stainless | 60-62 | high | extreme | high | Super / high-end | Shop → |
| CPM-20CV PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Shop → |
| CPM-S110V PM | Stainless | 60-63 | extreme | very high | low | Super / high-end | Shop → |
| CPM-S90V PM | Stainless | 59-62 | extreme | high | low | Super / high-end | Shop → |
| CTS-204P PM | Stainless | 59-62 | very high | very high | medium | Super / high-end | Shop → |
| ZDP-189 PM | Stainless | 64-67 | very high | medium | low | Super / high-end | Shop → |
Other types: Carbon / low-alloy · Tool & high-speed · powder steels · best for a purpose →